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Gamers, rise up: Fostering a sense of community through gaming

The world seemed to be put into a standstill as it started to experience the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses were closed until further notice, public events were canceled or postponed, and everyone’s movements were limited due to community quarantine policies. At home, we seek different activities to keep ourselves anchored and to maintain…

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Educators fill in gaps in shift to distance learning

As the country scrambled into a panic over the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, people were forced to isolate within their homes. Driven by the need to ensure the well-being of a involved in the educational system, school administrators deemed it necessary to restrict access to school campuses.  With the gradual relaxation of quarantine measures,…

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Growing concerns: The disruptive effects of a pandemic on children

The forced isolation imposed on families across the country due to COVID-19 has left a massive impact on the lives of everyone involved. This has been no less true for some of the most vulnerable members of society—children. Over the past couple of months, the conventional life that a child may have known has been…

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Sound check: Musicians in the midst of isolation

Music is intangible, yet is closely intertwined with human experience. From the radio tunes kids used to wake up to on Sunday mornings, the playlists that accompany commuters on crowded bus rides, to the certain songs that lull people to sleep at night, music has always been a part of life. Throughout time, it has…

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Taking spiritual journeys: On altered states of consciousness

The question of what reality is—of different dimensions, alternate timelines, or even the nature of our existence in this world—has continued to boggle scientists and philosophers from thousands of years ago until this very day. While others simply bury these concepts under the rug, many consider things like the possibility of an afterlife as fundamentally…

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Pride March 2020: Liberty and the path of most resistance

“Isang mapagpalayang Pride!” These words took over social media—in greetings, in calls to action, in statements of solidarity and comfort—throughout Pride March 2020 commemorations. Representing both an acknowledgment and a wish, the statement is a celebration of the hard-fought victories of those that came before, and a battlecry for the war that is far from…

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Strutting with Pride: Representation through ARTSvocacy Journey

Last June 22 to 26, a FAST2019 flagship project, ARTSvocacy Journey: PRIDE (ARTSJ: PRIDE),set sail in honor of the LGBTQ+ community. It aimed “to advance the [LGBTQ+] sector through inclusive governance and holistic opportunities,” according to Batch Vice President and ARTSJ spearhead Verrick Sta. Ana. Headed by FAST2019’s Mark Jay Casipit, Wylie Valerio, and Francine…

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Baking a difference: Capturing the flavors of Filipino bakeries

Who can resist the allure of a good bakery? Whether it be a local panenderia that carries Filipino favorites, like ensaymada and pandesal, or the kind of bakery whose windows feature decorated cakes that are just as much a treat for the eyes are they as for the taste buds, it’s hard to not give…

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No filter needed: A glimpse into the lives of social media managers

Likes, comments, tweets, and shares—these are the benchmarks of social media posts. These are deciding factors that could make or break the online presence of a business and determine its potential success. With more and more people signing up for well-known social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, brands and businesses have almost…

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News for the Deaf community: Meet the Filipino Sign Language Access Team for COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a disruption of our day-to-day activities. During this time, we are all encouraged to stay home—if we can—and to remain vigilant. Now more than ever, we are reliant on daily news broadcasts and trusted sources on social media. Access to credible and accurate information regarding the pandemic and the preventive…